Mike "Pops" Klumpp

Depression is often accompanied by feeling trapped. “I don’t know what to do.” “What if I make the wrong choice.” “Nothing I do matters.” We feel hopeless, helpless and see no way out. Therefore, having a plan to take control of our lives can be an integral part of working our way back to mental health.

Yes. I said it. “Mental health”. Always feeling bad, sad, and hopeless is not normal – or at least – doesn’t need to be normal. We can be happy. But…as the sixties hippie singer songwriter Donovan pointed out – “Happiness runs in a circular motion,” – we need to create, maintain and feed the cycle with some mental health. Making a wrong choice is a process toward making a right choice. All that we do matters if only to ourselves – because “I matter.” Say it! “I matter.” Yes, you do. We all do.

Several years ago I joined a movement to stop the discrimination of mental health. Talking about mental health and admitting “temporary insanities” should not be taboo. Anxiety, stress, depression, delusion, anger, impatience can all be signs of poor mental health. If it were a cold, we would jet off to the store and look for our favorite remedy. We would share the symptoms and confess – “I don’t feel well today.” No embarrassment. No shame. It should be no different with mental health. We need cure not condemnation.

The cure may not be simple. It might need therapy or medication. It might just need perspective and a friend. Whatever, mental health is nothing to be ignored or shamed away. It has to be dealt with.

I cannot offer a solution to all depression and mental health here today. I can offer a step in the right direction. In several of my books I mention learning the steps to control of your life. If you don’t take control, you turn over control. So let’s talk about taking control.

First step – Face life as it is, not as you wish it was or want it to be.

We have to see a thing as it is to know what it is and how to deal with it. Denial is an enemy to mental health. Mercy to one’s enemies is cruelty to one’s self. Get rid of denial. Face the issues. See them clearly. Then we can put a plan in place to move forward.

So, whatever is grinding you to a halt, let’s see it for what it is. Identifying the situation correctly has to proceed the attack. Admitting the situation to ourselves clearly and honestly. Sometimes we need the tough love of others to help us see the issues. Whatever we need to face life as it is, this is the clear first step.

Next time…step two.

Thanks for reading. If Pops can help, feel free to contact us through email.